Monthly Archives: July 2012

Convection Cooking is a technique that's been a mainstay in the industry since its inception for its ability to significantly reduce cook times while delivering great results for a wide range of foods and cooking functions. With a high quality, commercial convection oven, you truly get the most out of each cooking cycle plus you get the versatility of being able to cook, retherm, bake, roast and more.

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How It Works
Food is cooked by the transfer of heat energy to the food product. This transfer can occur in 3 main ways: Conduction, Radiation and Convection. Here we will talk a little bit about the meaning behind convection cooking and the benefits it has.
Convection Cookingis the transfer of heated energy through a fluid which can be in a liquid or gas state, like air. Convection ovens are found everywhere (even your own home!) and they simply use motionless hot air to cook the food products within. However, in commercial convection ovens, heated air is blown inside the oven cavity with the help of a mounted fan system and a heated element, forcing the hot air through the oven racks and increasing circulation for quicker, even cooking, all at lower temperatures. The fan is the key component that makes the convection process more efficient by constantly moving the air around every piece of food and getting rid of cool spots that can result in unevenness.

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Why a faster cooking time when the temperatures are lower?
When heated air is in motion, as it is in a commercial convection oven, the rate of heat transfer actually increases as opposed to still, motionless air at a higher temperature. So with the constant circulation of air in a convection oven, you're not only speeding up the transfer of heat to the food but you're ensuring a more even, thorough process with a better end result. It's this unique combination of lower temperatures and faster cooking time that allows your food to lock in its natural juices and moisture while having a delicious crispy, flaky, golden-brown exterior.
Oven Rack Placement
Unlike other ovens, commercial convection ovens have uniform air moving throughout the interior, so oven rack placement isn't important. This means that whether you have vegetables on the bottom rack or the top rack, each dish should get the same amount of air with every cooking cycle. This is great for the large volume restaurant owner or institution that needs to maximize the amount of sheet pans per cooking cycle without having to worry about rotation or turning in between.

Which Convection Oven Do I Need?
We have all different types of convection ovens on MissionRS.com from Floor Models to Countertop Models, single deck or double deck, and the list goes on. Choosing which you need will be a factor of the amount of foods you'll be cooking on a regular basis along with the space available to you.
Countertop or Floor?
Both daily volume and space restrictions will help decipher whether you need a countertop or floor model convection oven. Keep in mind that our Countertop selection is all Electric while our Floor models can be either Gas or Electric. The Countertop models are also easier to install thanks to their ventless construction.
Standard or Deep Depth?
Standard Depth Convection Ovens have a 24'' depth whereas the Deep Depth (often called "Baker's Depth") ovens have a 28'' depth measurment. The primary difference is that the Deep Depth allows the baking pan to be loaded in either direction which is a great tool for the baker or institution that needs to fit as many pans as possible per cook cycle.

Smoothies are one of our favorite things to make with a blender, especially when your body needs a little nourishment. For one, they are so easy to blend up (just throw everything in and press start), particularly when you have a nice blender that can deliver the right end result. We recently tried our hand at making this nutrient-packed green smoothie and truth be known it left us feeling lean and refreshed.

Words of Wisdom: Investing in a nice blender is the only way to ensure you get the best results time after time. Our favorite for the price is the Waring BB150, which for only $51.99 makes a fabulous smoothie! If you have a higher budget, we highly recommend buying a Vitamix - revered in the industry for their great construction and long life span (not to mention they look right at home on a countertop):

Some of our biggest best-sellers online are Immersion Blenders or Hand Mixers, simple handheld tools with built-in motors that can do it all in the kitchen from blending, whipping, emulsifying and pureeing. With all that these units are able to do there's no wonder that they are beloved in both the commercial and retail/residential kitchens alike:
Why Buy An Immersion Blender?1. Size/ Configuration
Immersion blenders are compact in size (also lightweight) featuring ergonomic handles with different sized shafts and capacities to accomodate your specific blending need. We also have a few combination immersion blenders online which feature a stainless shaft and a whisk attachment.

2. Easy to Clean
Many of our hand mixers on MissionRS.com feature a removable shaft which makes throwing it in the dishwasher and keeping it clean one of the most desirable features. {Note that select models feature this removable shaft while others have a fixed shaft.} For the fixed shaft variety, simply use soapy water, scrub clean and towel dry.

3. Ease of Use
Whether you're making creamy soups, chunky salsas, kneading dough, or something in between, you'll be able to find an Immersion Blender to do the job in our selection at MissionRS.com! Simply submerging the stick into your ingredients and turning it on will start the process and moving in a circular motion will ensure all your ingredients combine. There aren't many kitchen tools that can be so multi-faceted and handle so much as a Commercial Immersion Blender- not to mention a unit as small as this! The lightweight feel and compact size make it easy to use and manuever through the task at hand.
Check out our selection of Immersion Blenders online and start doing more with your commercial kitchen equipment!!

Mission Restaurant Supply Named Dealer of the Year by FE&S Magazine
On the evening of May 5, 2012, at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago, FE&S Magazine presented its annual Dealer of the Year Award to Mission Restaurant Supply, a South Texas company that's heralded for harvesting a culture uniquely its own.July 13, 2012 (SAN ANTONIO, TX ) - Foodservice Equipment & Supplies (FE&S) Magazine, the leading foodservice industry trade publication, recently named San Antonio-based small business Mission Restaurant Supply as the 2012 Dealer of the Year. The prestigious award, revered for recognizing leadership within the industry, was accepted by Owner & CEO Jack Lewis along with President Andy Wueste at the annual National Restaurant Association Show.
Though smaller than many previous honorees, Mission Restaurant Supply credits its success and growth to the workplace culture nurtured throughout the years.
"With the help of 240 employees," said Lewis, "it has been 'The Mission Family'--or rather 'Team Mission,' as we call ourselves--that has taken the company's path upward to new and exhilarating heights."
"For Team Mission," added Wueste, "the past two decades have been met with a dedication to uniquely deliver the best service, products, and experience to customers in the restaurant and foodservice industry."
Mission Restaurant Supply's story began in 1988 when Jack and Liza Lewis bought Mission Party Ice, an established packaged ice business in downtown San Antonio. There were a number of obstacles in the beginning that drove the pair to diversify their business model. For example, the lag in packaged ice business during the wintertime meant they needed to find new and different ways to generate revenue year round. This eventually led to leasing and distributing ice machines and commercial refrigeration, which paved the way to becoming a full foodservice equipment and supplies dealer.
Mission Restaurant Supply is the leading foodservice equipment and supply dealer in South Central Texas. The family-owned company also operates a bid contract department, an engineering design team, a custom metal fabrication shop, an e-commerce store, and four Texas showrooms with Leasing and Service Departments in San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, and McAllen. For more information, visit www.MissionRS.com or call 210-354-0690.

Each recurring Fall Season, the back to school rush settles in. Thousands of young, hopeful, and talented foodies flock to culinary schools around the country to learn the craft and trade of becoming a trained chef. It's a great opportunity to learn from professionals while honing your own skill and unique approach to the world of cooking. With a culinary degree, you have the faculty, the facilities, and the room for growth that will allow you to reach your full potential. Like anything, doing well and succeeding at culinary school means working your hardest and learning along the way. The restaurant/ foodservice industry is a tough one, but the rewards, the relationships and the experience pays off in the end, and we happen to think it's the best place to be out there. In our mind, being in the foodservice industry means having stellar service skills, being personal, a leader, and always in tune to what will make the customer most satisfied.

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In the past few years, Mission Restaurant Supply has been giving back to the culinary student community, granting the MissionRS Scholarship Fund to one student every year seeking a Culinary Arts degree at St. Philips College in downtown San Antonio (the pictures below show two of the students who've been granted our scholarship in the past!) We are so proud of our students and of all of you who are interested in pursuing a culinary education. The time is yours!

Our merchandising guru has been working fervently adding some exciting new product lines to the website! The latest wave of products comes from Vulcan Food Equipment Group, an umbrella company that includes Berkel Equipment, Wolf, and Vulcan Heart. Within these three product lines you will find a large range of commercial equipment, all available to you with Free Shipping when you shop at MissionRS.com!
Vulcan
For over 130 years, Vulcan has been an industry leader of commercial restaurant equipment. Find everything from heavy duty Tilting Kettles to Restaurant Ranges, Salamander Broilers, Hot Plates, Fryers, Convection Ovens and Steamers in the Vulcan Product Line. The Vulcan history traces back to 1865 when the company manufactured cooking stoves and other products. Today they have grown to become one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial cooking equipment with its corporate warehouse located in Covington, Kentucky. Shop Vulcan.Berkel
In 1898 W.A. Van Berkel, a butcher from the Netherlands, discovered a new and more efficient way of slicing meat, and there was born the world's first meat slicer. The company today has a USA headquarters in Troy, Ohio and the product line still is heavily based on Slicers, but it also contains Food Processors and Vacuum Packaging Machines. Shop Berkel.Wolf
Highly reputable in the industry, the Wolf brand has come to represent dependable equipment with exceptional customer service. With over 70 years in the industry, Wolf has proved to be a mainstay in the business by manufacuturing products that you, the customer, can trust and rely on when you need them most. Wolf Equipment includes Restaurant Ranges, Salamander Broilers, heavy duty manual Griddles and Charbroilers. Shop Wolf.

One of the hottest, recently uploaded items on MissionRS.com is The Silver Saver, an innovative new product that rescues dumped flatware from your trash cans. The unit is essentially a long and skinny magnetic metal probe that attracts lost silverware when inserted into your trash can. It's advised that the Silver Saver be used every two hours by your kitchen staff or whenever the water in your dishmachine is changed. You can watch the unit in action below and make sure to visit the product page here for more information and product reviews!
If you're looking for proof that this product really will save business owners like you a significant amount of money, use this handy Savings Calculator, courtesy of the Restaurant Remedy Group's website. (To physically use the calculator, visit their website!)
Please note that there are 2 different versions of the Silver Saver, the Ultra and the Elite. The Elite is a replica of the Ultra except it comes equipped with a trigger that releases the collected flatware from the probe, leaving your hands mess free! This would be a great addition to ANY commercial kitchen, business, school setting, or place where flatware is in high demand.

The 4th of July is the very essence of American summertime. With families flocking outdoors, revving up their barbeque pits and donning their red white and blue, the burgeoning summer season has officially made its grand entrance. Food is as important as ever on July 4th with BBQ, potato salad, hamburgers, hot dogs, berry cobblers, ice cream, and more all playing a star role. This year we are featuring a delicious Peach-Blackberry Pie by celebrity chef Bobby Flay that would be right at home (and a welcome treat) for your 4th of July festivities.

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Makes 1 (9 inch) Pie
Crust
2-1/2 c all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
10 tablespoons (1-1/4 stick) cold unsalted butter cut into 1/2'' cubes
1/2 c solid vegetable shortening, cut into pieces, cold
Filling
1 pint fresh blackberries
2 tablespoons blackberry liqueur
5 c peeled, pitted and 1/2'' thick sliced ripe peaches (about 8)
1/3 c firmly packed light brown sugar
1/3 c granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3 tablespoons peach brandy
1/4 c cornstarch or tapioca
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, cold
1/4 c heavy cream
3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
What To Do
1. To make the crust, put the flour, sugar, and salt int he bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Scatter the butter and shortening on top and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1/4 cup ice-cold water and pulse until the dough just comes together.
2. Preheat oven to 375 F.
3. To make the filling, put the blackberries in a small bowl, add the blackberry liqueur, and toss gently to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes.
4. Combine the peaches, both sugars, cinnamon, giner, nutmeg, peach brandy, and cornstarch in a large bowl and mix until well combined. Let sit for 10 minutes. Fold in the blackberries just before adding the filling to the pie.
5. Divide the dough in half and roll each half out on a lightly floured surface to a 13 to 14 inch round. Transfer one of the rounds to a 9'' deep-dish pie plate. Using a slotted spoon, spoon the fruit mixture into the crust. Add some of the juices that have accumulated in the bowl. Scatter the butter over the filling. Roll up the remaining dough and unroll it over the fruit mixture. Trim the edges of both crusts to a 3/4'' overhang and press to seal while crimping the edges. Cut 6 slits in the top crust to allow the pie to ventillate during baking. Brush the top of the pie with the cream and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
6. Put the pie plate on a rimmed baking sheet and bake on the bottom rack of the oven until golden and the juices are bubbling thickly through the slits (roughly 1 hour & 10 minutes)
Bobby Flay Tip: Cover the edges of the crust with foil if they are browning too quickly

Mission Restaurant Supply is a leading equipment and supply dealer for the foodservice industry. Since 1988, MissionRS.com continues to provide you with quality products from trusted manufacturers for your restaurant, bar, bakery, catering business, or commercial kitchen. How can we help you succeed? Make us a part of your team today.